Ten people have been arrested and another one cited by Kentucky state conservations officers after a nearly two-year undercover investigation of the illegal possession, importation and buying and selling of venomous snakes and other reptiles.
Forty-four officers with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife seized more than 125 venomous snakes and other reptiles, including an alligator, in the investigation, and are expected to issue more than 700 charges.
Animals seized included illegal western diamondback rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes, cottonmouth water moccasins, northern and southern copperheads, cobras, great basin rattlesnakes, a gaboon viper, a puff adder and a 2-foot-long alligator.
Undercover officers bought more than 200 illegal reptiles during the investigation code named "Twice Shy." Some were purchased through the Internet.
Read the complete story at kentucky.com.